Honestly what are words? What is life right now? This book is AMAZING. Renee Watson hits on so many different topics, race, interracial dating, gentrification, colorism, addiction, education, being a black girl and what it means to be "black" in such a great way. The reason why she is able to balance all of these interconnected subjects without turning into a Michael Eric Dyson diabrate is that she stays true the voice of Maya, the main character. Instead of having her being all knowing, witty, omnipresent like certain YA authors of the day, Renee lets Maya be a falliable still learning human being. As Maya evolves, so does the readers' perspective. Being able to grow with the MC is a seminal part of any successful YA novel and Watson does it perfectly. Honestly if this book were a person I'd marry it, or we'd at least be bffs. No lie.